We had one of those days here yesterday where's there's good size overhead surf coming through but wind, heavy chop and a lot of water moving in between the reefs made even standing hard work. When you got on a wave it was superb but in between rides and paddling in needed a low stance and a bit of luck.

Looking around the carpark it was interesting to see what everyone pulled out of the garage to make the most of the conditions. Boards that we have learnt on and discarded over time came out of the woodwork and my observation was that everyone was having s great time making the most of the good size swell.

Boards such as :

Starby Widepoints 8/10 and 8/2
Fanatic Allwave Pro 8/3 x 32
Naish X32,s
Sunova Speeds

all were given a dust off and hit the water.

Just wondering what what everyone else has tucked away for those windy / choppy days ???

I only have the one board, starby pro 8' x28 so I just go out in anything. If you go out enough in crap it becomes easier and it makes the great days even sweeter.

Yeah mick smith totally agree I been telling the boys that for a while now . I ride a 7'10 x28 sb pro in any condition s .some days it's f$&?@$ hard work but I don't wNt sacrifice the performance for a bit of extra stability

Smik Hipster Twin Longboard 9'2"x29". Very stable, catches everything, wave rides amazingly (like a much shorter board). Absolute go to board when it's less than ideal. 10/10

micksmith said..
I only have the one board, starby pro 8' x28 so I just go out in anything. If you go out enough in crap it becomes easier and it makes the great days even sweeter.

7'7" Jimmy Lewis Destroyer. Versatile, stable and surfs great (setup as a quad)

9'4 Creek... in anything! (I am 106 kg)

MarkW81 said..
Blue Planet Funstick - 9'4" x 33". It's my go to board when it gets choppy but great fun and fast when riding as a quad. It's pulled in nose means it doesn't catch chop and at 33" wide has plenty of stability. It's light so doesn't feel like a large board.

Agree with MarkW81

Blue planet funstick is the go to
But also Surefire 8-5 Degenerate

I find that I just have more fun on the bigger boards all together. I like to surf for four or five hours instead of blowing my legs out in two. If it gets windy, with a lot of water surging on the reef, the Blue Planet All Good is my go to at 8'8"x31". Doesn't feel nearly as wide as it is, and holds in on the steepest sections.

Yesterday was a classic example of picking my confidence board . 6-8ft and strong SW wind on beaches . Went to a secret spot that required a long paddle into the wind . Waves smaller there but water movement and wind were crazy. The oversized 9'1 Acid was definitely the correct from my quiver .
Pointy nose to get through chop and for paddling into wind
Good length for glide and need to paddle long distance into wind
Nose kick to handle bumpy messy waves
Enough tippiness at that length to allow me to be challenged and to make most out of waves
The Acid tail is perfect for killing off speed . Helped me stay on some very long waves
Just over 30 wide in the guts so plenty of stability whilst in sweet spot.
She is such a good girl. Cooks , cleans , pays bills , looks good and has smarts about her too. An all rounder that i can rely on

micksmith said..
I only have the one board, starby pro 8' x28 so I just go out in anything. If you go out enough in crap it becomes easier and it makes the great days even sweeter.

Likewise, except I have 2 speeeds, crap conditions I go out on the bigger one.

SupChickadee said..
Hey Colas
interesting re where feet are positioned from rails when paddling, i've never thought about this. What's the logic?
Cheers

The logic is here :-)
www.seabreeze.com.au/forums/Stand-Up-Paddle/SUP/Mastering-lateral-balance-on-a-small-SUP-board

It allows you to roll with the punches of the chop. With the feet wide apart, the slightest chop nudge will make you dig the rail deep and ...roll over!

Also, you can then use low volume boards (less liters than your weight times 1.3) that are easier in the chop as they do not get bounced around like a cork by the chop. You want just enough volume and length to keep some comfortable longitudinal balance however. Having to balance in all directions at once can be overwhelming.

General everyday East Coast conditions I go to the Fanatic AllWave I'm big so I use the 9'7 but really they all work and shine in everyday surf

JimK
Extreme Windsurfing

My all arounder. Another way I see it is my all terrain vehicle. Custom sunova Surf 10-6x31. 5 future boxes.
The size and width guarantee stability in the wind, chop and current. The thinned and foiled rails will handle the juice
if I can get some.

moogengronko said..
Placid - if I were restricted to just one board

Which size for less than perfect conditions ?